Kilverstone Road Brettenham Thetford
01842 755319

The church of St Andrew at Brettenham is a beautiful small church along a country lane, with lovely views from the churchyard across meadows towards the grounds of Shadwell Court. Whilst most of the medieval building was badly damaged in a fire of 1693, with the nave rebuilt twenty years later, the church we see today is the result of a remarkable restoration in 1852 by the celebrated architect S. S. Teulon, who had been commissioned to build the aforementioned Shadwell Court in extravagant Gothic Revival. His work at the church is in a more restrained Decorated style and Teulon retained the 14th-century tower and a fine Norman doorway in his plans.

Notwithstanding the relatively recent works in the history of this church, the building had been closed for some recent years to undergo a significant programme of restoration, primarily in the time, energies and faithful perseverance of a very small community and, in particular, those of the Churchwarden and Secretary whose dedication has been remarkable. As a result of that restoration work, the church was reopened and rededicated by the Lord Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham James, on Sunday 6 August 2017 (appropriately, the Feast of the Transfiguration) and once again welcomes worshippers and visitors alike.

Church Lane Rushford Thetford
01842753634

The church of St John the Evangelist is a bold structure, set off the road in a large and well-kept churchyard, comprising a large west tower and a nave of what was once a much larger cruciform church, sadly now lacking its transepts and chancel. In 1342 Edmund Gonville (co-founder of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge) founded and endowed a College for a Master and five priests here in Rushford, building a quadrangular college to the south of the church, parts of which still remain.

The present church has recently been lovingly restored by a small but hard-working community, including the rebuilding of the small Victorian apse, and is a regular and appealing venue for concerts. Its history, rural setting and its location in a very attractive village with its green and estate buildings makes this a memorable place to visit.